Track and field camp a success

Summer vacation is almost over, but if you think that children are getting tired of running around outdoors or playing sports, think again. News 5 was invited to a track and field competition that proved Belizean children still have plenty of energy left.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

It is not the first time that Curlin King has invited children to his camp, and every year the sports event takes place there is always an additional number of aspiring athletes at the Rogers Stadium. This year over a hundred boys and girls competed in track and field athletics.

Curlin King, Organizer, Summer Athletic Programme

“The purpose behind this camp is to get these kids actively engaged in a clean sport and to get them away from the confines of some of their communities where drugs are involved and other things to affect them. And also, to give them an experience that track and field athletics, or any other sports for that matter of fact, goes along with their educational values. So what we try to do is instil the scientific approach with training track and field athletics or any other sport, that they are going to know the fundamentals, how education is tied in to physical training.”

The training sessions not only keep the children active, but the exercise also teaches the young participants how to discipline themselves, even though it was a little difficult keeping the children quiet during our interview with the camp’s organizer, Curlin King.

Curlin King

“Having these kids working together, I mean it goes from year in year out with the children, some of them their parents, which I had taught at probably high schools, send their kids because they have that confidence in myself and Keish that we are gonna do the best for these children and they are going to have a good time out here. And the way we teach track and field, or any other sport, it becomes more fun and enjoyable and they learn during it. So they come year in year out and from then on the other year is much easier to attend.”

This Sunday, the one-month camp concludes with a grand fun day at the Stadium. On that day, the children will showcase their athletic skills. Adults are encouraged to support the event by paying only one dollar at the gate.

Sunday’s fun day starts at two o’clock at the Roger’s Stadium. Parents and guardians are especially invited to attend.